Newton Aycliffe showed terrific character to bag two hard-earned points in the last week before this weekend’s difficult trip to high-flying Whitley Bay.
Skipper Sean Tarling grabbed an all-too-rare goal in dramatic late drama at Sunderland RCA on Tuesday night – three days after Tom Hinchley nabbed an injury-time point at home to Billingham Synthonia.
And chairman Gary Farley, also the club’s assistant manager, says the show of resolve is testament to a strong dressing room.
“It’s been testing times, but we’re showing fantastic team spirit and resolve,” said Farley.
“We deserved to win at RCA on Tuesday night. Sometimes it just doesn’t go for you when you’re down there and you don’t get the rub of the green, but you can’t fault the lads.
“They’ve responded to the situation and we’re fighting for our lives, and they have been brilliant in the three most important areas, what I call the three A’s… attitude, application, and ‘ard work!”
Tarling, in his first game wearing his new contact lenses, finally found the net for the first time in 66 games to rescue a 91st-minute point for the Royal Blues that was more than deserved on Tuesday night.
Allan Oliver’s side dominated the entire game and would have been worthy winners had they been a bit more clinical in front of goal.
Kris Hughes gave Aycliffe the perfect start with a third minute goal, but the Newtonians failed to score the decisive second before Aristote Guerin-Lokonga netted a brilliant solo effort to equalise just after the half-hour mark.
Former Aycliffe striker Gavin Barton put the Ryhope club 2-1 up in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time as it appeared Aycliffe would be on the end of another away defeat.
Hughes, Martin Young and Danny Mellanby all went close in the dying minutes, before Tarling levelled proceedings with a superb stoppage-time strike to secure a hard-earned point.
Meanwhile, Aycliffe bagged a brilliant precious point with a last-gasp equaliser at home to fourth-top Billingham Synthonia last Saturday.
Hinchley headed home a 92-minute point-winner with virtually the last action of the game, and they were good for the point after just about shaded it.
• Aycliffe’s tough trip to fourth-placed Whitley Bay this weekend is followed by back-to-back home derbies next week – Spennymoor on Wednesday night followed by West Auckland on Saturday.
FIXTURES
Saturday 27th October: Whitley Bay (A) 3pm
Wednesday 31st October: Spennymoor (H) 7.30pm
Saturday 3rd November: West Auckland (H) 3pm
Saturday 10th November: Shildon (A) 3pm
Saturday 17th November: Team Northumbria (H) 3pm
Wednesday 21st November: Whitley Bay (H) 7.30pm
Saturday 24th November: Guisborough Town (A) 3pm
